Sabarimala Temple Sponsor Arrested in Gold Theft Investigation

Bengaluru businessman Unnikrishnan Potti taken into custody after marathon interrogation

Thiruvananthapuram, October 17, 2025 — In a significant development in the Sabarimala temple gold theft case, Bengaluru-based businessman Unnikrishnan Potti was formally arrested early Friday morning by Kerala's Special Investigation Team. The arrest, recorded at 2:30 a.m., followed more than eleven hours of intensive questioning at the Crime Branch headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.

Potti, who gained prominence as a sponsor of restoration projects at the revered Sabarimala temple, was detained from his Pulimath residence on Thursday. His arrest marks a crucial breakthrough in the investigation into the disappearance of gold plating from the temple's sacred sanctum.

The Missing Gold

The case revolves around the theft of gold plating that adorned wooden panels in the sanctum sanctorum and the Dwarapalaka sculptures—the guardian deities at the temple entrance. Investigators estimate that approximately 475 grams of gold, equivalent to 56 sovereigns, went missing during restoration work.

The chronology of events reveals a troubling pattern. In September 2019, a recovery specialist extracted 989 grams of gold from materials provided by Potti. While 404.8 grams were used for the plating work, the remaining 474.9 grams were handed over to an individual named Kalpesh, who claimed authorization from Potti. Critically, official records provide no evidence that this substantial quantity of gold was ever returned to the Travancore Devaswom Board, which administers the temple.

Questions About Funding

The investigation has uncovered puzzling financial irregularities surrounding Potti's philanthropic activities. Despite reportedly having no stable income since 2017, he managed to fund multiple high-profile sponsorship projects at Sabarimala. More remarkably, investigators discovered that at least one major restoration project publicly credited to Potti was actually financed by a Karnataka-based businessman, raising questions about the true source of funds for his temple donations.

High Court Timeline

The Special Investigation Team is working under intense pressure, with the Kerala High Court imposing a six-week deadline for completing the probe. Potti is expected to be produced before a court in Ranni, located in Pathanamthitta district, where he will face formal charges.

The arrest sends ripples through Kerala's religious and administrative circles, as Sabarimala remains one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in South India, attracting millions of devotees annually. The case has also prompted calls for stricter oversight of temple restoration projects and donation management practices.

As the investigation continues, authorities are examining financial records and questioning other individuals connected to the restoration work. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for how religious institutions handle sponsored projects and maintain accountability for precious materials entrusted to contractors.